Paddy Bevin – van Garderen’s BMC teammate – finished second on the stage, just seven seconds down on his team leader, while Team Sky’s Tao Geoghegan Hart showed his continuing good form to take third on the stage, 32 seconds behind the stage winner, which moves him up to fourth in the GC, within a minute of the race lead.

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Along with Bernal, Geoghegan Hart gives Team Sky the possibility of a two-pronged attack as the favourites now eye Friday’s sixth stage to Lake Tahoe. It’s almost certain to decide who wins the race, which finishes with a sprint stage in Sacramento on Saturday.

See how the favourites stacked up against each other against the clock in this highlights video.